car for college student?

[weflyhigh]

20 years old. I need a car by the time I graduate next year (will be 21 soon). I have about 10k in my bank now with no bills (some loans that I wont have to pay for 5ish years). In college.

Looking for something reliable, but fun and fast.

I was looking at new Mustangs and they can be had for under 20k brand new with over 300 hp. That's pretty sweet.

Ideas?

 

[Hellotalkie]

in before "don't empty your account on a car" response!

 

[punjabiplaya]

used something

 

[Bignate603]

in before "don't empty your account on a car" response!

Hehehe, I've got to agree.

If you've already got your own place and everything you won't need as much but if you're moving out of the dorms or your parent's home to a place where you find a job you're going to need a few grand for a deposit on an apartment, furniture, moving expenses, and enough to survive until you get your first paycheck.

If you're going active duty in the army (your avatar hints you might be) then you've probably got a bit better idea how much you'll be able to afford, but I'd still play it on the conservative side. You can get some nice used cars that will be fun and save you a bundle over new. At the very least, get quotes from your insurance on how much it will cost you for the kind of cars you're looking at so you know what you're aware of all the costs before you walk in to a dealer.

 

[T2urtle]

in before "don't empty your account on a car" response!

your new mustang will be KEY and side swiped all day long on campus. Blend in now and get the mustang when you grad.

Aim for the norm, civic, accord. older subaru for the AWD pending on your location. Corolla and matrix.


My brother will be needing a car for his sophmore year in college, i'm trying to get him in a matrix, the hatch and decent MPG will do him nicely. Should be under $5000, if i aim for the VIBE instead of the matrix.

 

[alphatarget1]

Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

 

[alkemyst]

your new mustang will be KEY and side swiped all day long on campus. Blend in now and get the mustang when you grad.

Aim for the norm, civic, accord. older subaru for the AWD pending on your location. Corolla and matrix.


My brother will be needing a car for his sophmore year in college, i'm trying to get him in a matrix, the hatch and decent MPG will do him nicely. Should be under $5000, if i aim for the VIBE instead of the matrix.

Depends on college and where you park.

 

[satyajitmenon]

Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

This. You can confiscate all the "suspicious subtances" you find. :sneaky:

 

[MotF Bane]

your new mustang will be KEY and side swiped all day long on campus. Blend in now and get the mustang when you grad.

Aim for the norm, civic, accord. older subaru for the AWD pending on your location. Corolla and matrix.


My brother will be needing a car for his sophmore year in college, i'm trying to get him in a matrix, the hatch and decent MPG will do him nicely. Should be under $5000, if i aim for the VIBE instead of the matrix.

He does have a point here. Not necessarily keyed, but side swipes will happen, backed into, rammed into, whatever. College students are barely above high school students in terms of driving experience, and it shows.

 

[Mermaidman]

20 years old. I need a car by the time I graduate next year (will be 21 soon). I have about 10k in my bank now with no bills (some loans that I wont have to pay for 5ish years). In college.

Looking for something reliable, but fun and fast.

I was looking at new Mustangs and they can be had for under 20k brand new with over 300 hp. That's pretty sweet.

Ideas?

Since you don't need the car now, you should wait until you graduate and base your decision on your finances at that time, including your job situation and salary.

A brand new car is expensive to insure. Add the fact that you're under 26 and a Mustang=TRIPLE WHAMMY!

In conclusion: Buy a $10,000 used car 😀 (e.g. Mazda3 hatchback)

 

[ShawnD1]

in before "don't empty your account on a car" response!

Basically this. If you empty your account and something needs to be fixed, what then? You is fucked.

He does have a point here. Not necessarily keyed, but side swipes will happen, backed into, rammed into, whatever. College students are barely above high school students in terms of driving experience, and it shows.

That and they stay up all night then drive to school the next day. They're as impaired as drunks.

The insurance thing is true as well. If you're really hard core about saving money, you could drive a beater with minimal insurance until the premiums drop THEN buy a nicer car with comprehensive insurance. I bought a new car fresh out of college and the comprehensive insurance was about $4,000 per year with a perfect driving record and no collisions.

 

[kornphlake]

Get something with 4 doors. Get something that doesn't make you look like you're living off a trust fund. Get something that will be low maintenance, easy for anybody to drive and cheap to operate. Even if a Mustang wasn't a poor financial decision I'd still recommend something else.

 

[ViviTheMage]

01-04 vr6 jetta ... solid cars. can be had around 5k~

or do what everyone suggests ... some toyota or honda, both are not fun to drive.

 

[simonizor]

Something for less than $3k. Seriously. Save the money for when you're out of college and have a more permanent residence. Parking in cities, especially college areas that are filled with tons of young, inexperienced drivers, can be a nightmare. You can park your car for an hour, come back and find the side all smashed in, and there's no one to blame. Even if there was, half the time there's nothing you can do about it unless you've got a witness or some really good evidence.